Poets logo

FALLEN

Being a Stream of Consciousness Poem Written Amidst the Yellow Poplars in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest in Indiana (9-14-24)

By C. Rommial ButlerPublished about a year ago โ€ข 1 min read
The notebook in which I penned the poem. I've revised nothing, but in the text below I have emboldened the word FALLEN for emphasis.

The creaking branches fall into the forest bed below. I hear them, not giving up the fight but losing the battle, with gravity, with time, with fate. My eyes see sunlight splattered among the wilting flora, the fallen leaves, the long, thin trees fallen, fallen, fallen like a battle-hardened soldier taking one last stand, fallen, kissing the autumn wind and never to fall again, fallen, fallen. Fallen like the bitter heart that seeks no reprieve in the ashen dusk, fallen! Fallen like an eternity stretched into the bottomless abyss, fallen! Yet the sun shines even on these, if only enough space is left among the branches for it to reach through. Fallen, yes, but not forsaken. Fallen, but not forgotten. Fallen like an angel that utters no cry as it plunges into the sun, fallen.

***** * *****

As told from So(u)l's perspective:

Stream of Consciousness

About the Creator

C. Rommial Butler

C. Rommial Butler is a writer, musician and philosopher from Indianapolis, IN. His works can be found online through multiple streaming services and booksellers.

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Add your insights

Comments (15)

Sign in to comment
  • Gina C.about a year ago

    So poignant and beautifully done. This line panged my heart, "Fallen like an angel that utters no cry as it plunges into the sun, fallen." That image is so tragic

  • Jay Kantorabout a year ago

    'Sup Cr ~ I could never figure what was 1st ~ the forest or the trees; akin to the chicken or the egg..! btw; Glad we both use our type writers; our handwriting leaves a lot to be desired...! Hmm! j.bud.in.l.a.

  • Tiffany Gordonabout a year ago

    Uber, uber gorgeous! BRAVO!

  • Antoni De'Leonabout a year ago

    That pic of the burning man...so sad...the sacrifices for freedom or whatever is happening. I adore walking in the forest of trees, hearing the leaves sing and the branches fall. Lovely poetry.

  • D.K. Shepardabout a year ago

    Very impactful use of repetition! Stunning work

  • L.C. Schรคferabout a year ago

    Wistfully done ๐Ÿ‘

  • Rick Henry Christopher about a year ago

    Beautiful and introspective. Excellent work, Charles.

  • Hannah Mooreabout a year ago

    A sacrifice of a part for the whole.

  • Rachel Deemingabout a year ago

    A forest, yes, but also metaphorically accurate for so many other aspects of life. I love the fact that you used your raw copy as your accompanying picture. Cool.

  • John Coxabout a year ago

    This captures the sounds and images of the forest in autumn, the leaf litter and downed branches amongst all the rot of seasons past. And then of course the overriding metaphor of humanityโ€™s fall from grace. Both striking and beautiful!

  • That took a few stabs at my heart. It pierced sooo deeply. Loved it so much!

  • Cindy Calderabout a year ago

    Such a poignant and lingering poem. Well done.

  • Veronica Coldironabout a year ago

    The cadence of this is hypnotic. Your prose actually lends itself to the feeling of falling, sort of tumbling into the end. LOVE this!

  • Kelli Sheckler-Amsdenabout a year ago

    I have fallen for this. Exquisite

  • Gerard DiLeoabout a year ago

    Beautifully exsposited (I just made that word up).

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

ยฉ 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.